Mitch Laddie is a guitarist and singer from the North East of England, known for blues rock that also takes in funk, prog, jazz and fusion. He starts playing guitar seriously at the age of 13 after a rugby injury leaves him in hospital, and he develops his style by learning material associated with Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knopfler and Chuck Berry before moving into blues through Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Early development

From a young age, Laddie listens to country artists with his late maternal grandfather, including Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins, George Jones, Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks. He begins building his own record collection by the age of three. His early guitar influences expand to include the three Kings of the blues — B.B. King, Freddie King and Albert King — as well as Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Jeff Healey, Walter Trout, Gary Moore, Paul Kossoff, early Eric Clapton, Joe Bonamassa and Eric Gales.

Vanilla Moon and the Mitch Laddie Trio

Laddie first forms a band with friends under the name Vanilla Moon. The group plays together for around two and a half years, performing at motorcycle rallies, festivals and pubs across the North East. Their sets combine covers of S.R.V. and Free with original songs the band begins writing.

In October 2006, Walter Trout invites Laddie to jam with him and his band at Colne Municipal Hall. Trout later invites him to play at other venues around the country and at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. Trout also introduces him to Provogue Records, and Laddie signs to the label.

In early 2008, Vanilla Moon reappears as the Mitch Laddie Trio. The trio’s sound develops into a mix of blues rock, funk, prog, jazz and fusion. Alongside blues and classic rock influences, Laddie cites artists and groups including The Jimi Hendrix Experience, S.R.V. and Double Trouble, John Mayer Trio, Cream, Led Zeppelin, The Police, Parliament-Funkadelic, Prince, Tower of Power, The Meters, James Brown, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Buckley, Eric Johnson, Guthrie Govan, Richie Kotzen, Shawn Lane, Greg Howe, Allan Holdsworth, Robben Ford, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, Yes, Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, Frank Zappa, Wishbone Ash, Free, Primus, The Roots, Martin Sexton, Toots and the Maytals and Bob Marley.

Recordings and live work

By 2010, the trio has released its first album for Provogue Records and continues to add to its catalogue while preparing for touring. After performing new material at several gigs, including the Colne Great British R&B Festival, the group receives strong media attention.